With very little notice, an emergency meeting was called on Thursday by the Walnut District Fire Protection board to discuss what will be happening with the volunteer fire department now that the chief, Jack Giles, resigned.  

Walnut District Fire Protection is the district leader over the Clinton Township’s Volunteer Fire Department, with the Clinton firehouse being located near Van Bibber Lake. The District board members present at the meeting were President Rusty Burch, Vice President Mike Mahoy (who did not speak), and Secretary Richard Cope.

Burch stated coverage of the area would fall to the Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department and other surrounding departments. Burch assured the audience this was a temporary move until a new and qualified fire chief can be found.

When asked by a member of the VFD, Lt. Loren Leonard, whether they would be allowed to assist Bainbridge with calls to the area or if they were going to be “kicked to the curb,” Burch stated the volunteer crew were not to have any of the equipment; it was to be turned in.

Former Assistant Fire Chief, Doug Chubb, argued the board was overstepping bounds according to SOPs [standard operating procedures] and bylaws, as only members of the VFD can decide who would replace an open leadership position. He went on to state there are two members who are qualified to be chief, referring to himself and his wife, Lydia Chubb. However, the board responded they had lost confidence in the Clinton Township Fire Department and lost confidence that any of the members would be qualified.

Chubb further stated that Bainbridge would be ill equipped to cover the area, stating they were unable to complete all of their own runs in recent months. Secretary Richard Cope stated Bainbridge would do the best they can and there are other departments on the box that could be called for a run.

By the end, the board assured the audience good people who are local and qualified will be placed in position and the department can open its doors again. It was stated that this was not a sudden change, but something that had long been coming as the issues have been ongoing for quite some time.